Can closing machine



1948- R. E. J. l \l0RD QUIST 2,447,525

cm CLOSING momma:

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1945 N NN BY ATTORNEY$ Aug. 24, 1948. R. E. J. NORDQUIST 2,447,525

I CAN CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 25, 1945 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q1] IINVENTOR! Mas 4&1,

ATTO RN EYS Aug. 24, 194$. R. E. J. NORDQUIST 2,447,525

CAN CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 25, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lllmm INVENTOR.

A TTORN EYS Patented Aug. 24, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- CAN CLOSING MACHINE Ronald E. J. Nordquist, Maplewood, N. J assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 25, 1945, Serial No. 601,453

.3 Claims. (Cl. 11323) This invention relates to can closing machines having a plurality of spaced seaming units each including first and second operation seaming rollers, wherein the first operation seaming roller of one unit and. the second operation seaming roller of another adjacent unit are designed for successive or simultaneous operation upon two different cans and covers on adjacent chucks for a seaming operation.

An object of the invention is the provision of a rocker seaming unit including seaming rollers mounted on a single shaft intermediate two adjacent seaming chucks, which unit upon being actuated alternately shifts one seaming roller and then the other inwardly against different cans while they are being rotated on adjacent seaming chucks to perform different seaming operations.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a closing machine having a plurality of such seaming units operable in cooperation with adjacent seamingchu-cks of a construction wherein a can on one of the chucks is seamed by a first operation seaming roller on one of the seaming units and another seaming operation is performed by a second operation roller of a different seaming unit.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a rocker seaming unit of the character described wherein the second operation on a can and cover may follow immediately after the completion of the first operation without the usual necessity of moving the first operation seaming roller away from the seam before the second operation roller engages the seam, the operation of the two seaming rollers on different chucks allowing for this action.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a can closing machine embodying the present invention with parts broken away and with parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1, the view being taken along the broken lines 2-2 as indicated in that figure, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional plan view taken substantially along the line 33 in Fig. 2 with parts broken away; and

Fig. 4 is an outside elevational detail of a seam- 2 7 ing roll holder carrying first operation and second operation seaming rollers.

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention the drawings disclose the important parts of a high speed can closing machine wherein filled cans A and their associate covers B are brought into assembly over an opening in a pocket of a rotatable turret. .The pockets of such a turret are axially disposed between a ro-' tatable seaming chuck and a rotatable lifter plunger operable in the turret pocket opening. It is above thisplunger that the assembled can and cover are located while in the pocket and from thence they are lifted upwardly against the seaming chuck and are clamped between the plunger and the chuck preparatory to rotating and to sealing the assembled cover and can.

In the instant invention a movable seaming unit carrying first and second operation seaming rollers is interposed between adjacent seaming chucks, so that the first operation seaming roller of the unit will operate against a can coveron one of the chucks and the second operation seaming roller of the unit will operate against a partially sealed can cover on an adjacent seaming chuck. This speeds up the first and second seaming steps with no lost time between seaming operations. Hence, the second operation seam- I ing of an individual can cover on a single seaming chuck performed by one unit follows directly the completion of the first operation seaming performed by an adjacent seaming unit.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, a filled can A is shown herein being introduced into the instant machine by a feed-in conveyor II which moves the can over and along a conveyor table l2. Such a conveyor has spaced and laterally extending feed arms l3 which engage the side walls of the cans and sweep them over the table l2 in proper sequence for assembly with indi vidual covers B at an assembly station C. This station is where the conveyor ll intersects a rotatable turret I4. The conveyor ll may be driven in any suitable manner either directly from the present machine drive or from an adjacent machine.

The covers B are fed individually into the station C by a cover feed turret l5 (see also Fig. 2). Such a turret is mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft l6 journaled in a bearing ll of the machine frame.- Shaft l6 may be driven in any suitable manner in time with the conveyor H and which for the purpose of the invention need not be shown.

Cover feed turret l5 has a plurality of pockets ill of which there preferably are six. These pockets receive covers from any convenient source and feed them separately in superimposed position onto filled cans A at the station C. Pockets iii are each formed with a suitable ledge 22 for holding the individual covers.

The rotatable turret i4 receives both the filled cans A and the covers B and" transfers them through the machine during the seaming operation. For this purpose the turret l4 has a lower web 23 and an upper web 24. These webs are formed each with a plurality of pockets, the pocket of one being in vertical alignment with a corresponding pocket in theother web. There preferably are six pockets in each-web (Figs. 1 and 2).

Pockets 25 are formed in theelower web 23.and'

are defined by circular openings 26. These openings are surrounded partially by semi c ircul'ar vertical ledges 21. Sucha ledge serves to locate the filled can Ainitially'in its'turret pocket.

The upper Web 24 isformed with-semi-circular pockets 28. Each pocket 28 is surrounded partially by semi-circular ledges 32, 33.- Ledge 32 is cut' back for entrance-of a canflange D on the' uppen end of the can A.. Ledge 33'is cut back furtherina stepped: wall 34; The ledge 33 provides suitablesupport: for the cover B, holding it insuperimposed position-over a filled can A as it is delivered .into the rotatable turret pockets 25,

28: atv station C. Then follows the operations hereinbefore-mentioned whichin turn are incidental to-the seaming.

The turret I4 is secured to a hollow sleeve section 35 of a rotary. seaming. head supporting member 31. lower vertical shaft38 (Fig. 1) Shaft 38is journaled-in suitable hearings in: the lowerpart of the instant. machine inany suitable manner and WhiCh'fOI the purpose-of this-invention need-not be shown. This-latter shaft may be operated inany convenient manner from its lower end to revolve theturret i4 and the rotary member 37inunison and-in proper time with the conveyor ll andthe cover;feed turret I 5.- p

The. rotary member 3-! is formed-with suitable seaming heads 42 having integralbosses 43 (Fig.-

2 wherein theseaming head parts are carried; There is a seaming. head unit foreach turret pocket. Eachseaming head unit may be considered toincludea rotatable seaming chuck 44,

a can knockout 45. and a pair of cooperating seaming. rollersthese being a first operation seaming roller 45' and a second operation seamingroller 41. Both rollers-of one-head unit, however, do-notoperate withthe-chuck of that unit, asvwill be hereinafter explained.

Each seaming chuck 44 is mounted on the lower end of a hollow verticalshaft 48 journaled 48 so that. the chucks 44 upon engaging the can.

covers on thefilledcanswill spin'them rapidly fonthesealingoperation.

The- .seaming chucks 4d are of conventional form, each chuck being designed to fit. within thecountersunk sectionof a. cover B (Fig. 2).

This sleeve section is mounted on a 4 Such a chuck is provided with the usual recess into which the can knockout 45 enters during the sealing operation. Each can knockout 45 is carried at the lower end of a stem 54 which extends upwardly through its associate hollow shaft 48.

Each can knockout 35 is operable relative to its associate chuck M by reciprocation of its carrying stem: 54 *within the hollow shaft. This may be done in the usual way through suitable operating means being applied to the upper end of the stem 54 in time with other moving parts of the machine. More detailed explanation of these well known seaming parts is considered unnecessary .for the purpose of the present inventions.

The first operation seaming rollers 46 and the second operation seaming rollers 41 are carried in a seaming roll holder 58 (Figs. 1 and 4). There: are six such seaming roll holders, one being disposed intermediate each of the seaming chucks.

Each seaming roll holder is mounted'on arock-- tical support 58.

rotary member 31-, as by a cap 63. The rocker shaft. 51' may be operated in conventionalmanner from its upper. end, as disclosedfor example in the patents to Johnson .l,349,83.7 issued August.

17, 1920. and 1,372,95 issued March 29, 1921.

That is, shaft 57. is-rocked or. oscillated back and. forth to alternately bring. the rollers 46, 41 into.

engagement against. the cancovers B while cansand covers are being rot'ated'by thechucks 44.

Each first operation seaming roller 46 freely rotates on a pin 64 secured in one endv of its.

seaming roll holder 56. This is shown on the right in Fig. 4. Similarly, the second operation seaming roller 43 of that unit freely rotateson a pin. 65 located at the opposite end of'the same roll holder; This is shownon the left as viewed in thelatter figure.

Each pin 55. is mounted in a seaming roll holder block 56. Such a block is. carried yieldably in each seaming roll holder 56; For'thepurpose'of applying'a predetermined pressure against the second operation seaming rollers 41, the ends of leaf. springs 61 press directly against each of the blocks. 66'. These leaf springs at the opposite end are bolted to each seaming roll holder 56. The sequence. of operation of the seaming rollers 46, 47 will be described hereinafter.

A plurality of rotatablelifterplungers 12 are mounted and operated in any suitable manner beneath the turret M, there being one such plung er. for each turret pocket 25 (Fig. 2). These lifter plungers are in alignment: with their respective chucks. M and are movedlup through the openings 26 in the individual turret pockets tov successively lift the filled cans A and superime posed'covers B'in'tosealing position.

Hence,. a filled can A and its cover B are advanced by the turret I l from the station C (Fig. 1) toward a station E. During sucha travel; the plunger 12 gradually moves up and engages within. the countersunk bottom of such a can. This action centers it. Furtherelevation of theplunger lifts the can from its ledge seat 21.,

Before the filled" can leaves its seated position,

however, the can knockout 45 moves down and engages the top of the can cover B and holds iton its ledge seat 33. When the flange D of'th'e rising can A engages the cover, the filled can is. Thecan up simultaneously and; the filled can A and can cover B are clamped between the lifter plunger and the rotatable seaming chuck 44 when'the latter is engaged by cover. The can and cover now are in sealing position at station E and rotation of the cover takes place (Figs. 1 and 3).

The'operation of the rocker shaft 5! is so timed, that as the filled can and cover move into station E, the end of the seaming roll holder 56 carrying the first operation seaming roller 46 passing through this station at the time, swings inwardly against the can cover B on the rotating seaming chuck 44. The first operation seaming then begins. This part of the seaming action continues as the turret I l together with the seaming unit advance to station F.

During passage through station F the first operation seaming roller 46 remains in engagement with the can cover B and the first operation seaming still continues as the can in its advancement approaches station G. At station F, as is shown in Fig. 3, the second operation seaming roller 41 of the seaming roll holder 56 in advance already is in engagement with the can cover being considered. This clearly discloses how in accordance with the present invention two different operation seaming rollers 46 and 41 carried on adjacent seaming roll holders 56 operate on a single can cover B simultaneously as best seen at the upper portion of Fig. 3. This permits a rapid change from the first or partial seaming to the second or final sealing of the can'cover without loss of seaming time and without any interference between seaming operations.

Stated diiferently by means of the instant invention, different seaming rollers on a single seaming roll holder operate initially against a can cover on one seaming chuck to perform for example the first operation seaming and finally to perform a second seaming operation on a can cover rotating with an adjacent chuck. Such an action takes place on covers of any two adjacent seaming chucks 44 while they are being moved from station E to and through station G.

Upon reaching station G the second operation seaming roller has completed the final sealing of the can and cover and roller 41 is in against the seam. As the sealed can and cover leave the station G on its continued advance to station H the second seaming operation roller 41 moves out of sealing position. The sealed can now is ready for its descent from the chuck and for final release preparatory to discharge from the machine.

Leaving station G the lifter plunger 12 moves down and returns the sealed can into the initial position on the support or ledge seat 21. The can knockout 45 cooperates with this lowering action of the plunger in the conventional manner thereby stripping the sealed can cover from the rotatable seaming chuck 44.

Discharge of the sealed can from the machine is efiected by a starwheel 13 (Fig. 1). starwheel 13 has a plurality of pockets I4, there preferably being five in number. It is into these pockets that individual sealed cans enter for their el'ection from the pockets 25, 28 of the rotatable turret l4. The starwheel 13 advances the cans over a discharge table 15.

starwheel i3 is mounted on the upper end of a shaft 16 journaled in suitable bearings in the main frame. Shaft 16 is driven in any suitable manner in time with other moving parts of the machine. Accordingly the filled cans move over the discharge table upon being ejected and are guided along a desired path by an inner guide rail 11' and an outer concentric guide rail 18.

The moving cans may be advanced further to any suitable place of deposit. a l

It is thought'that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a can closing machine for sealing covers onto cans, the combination of a support member including a plurality of seaming heads each having a rotatable chuck therein for engaging respective covers on cans to be sealed, a plurality of seaming roll holders s'wingably mounted on said member and respectively disposed between adjacent chucks, first and second operation seaming rollers on each of said holders, a first such holder being swingable in opposite directions to engage its first operation seaming roller with the cover of a can on one of said chucks for an initial partial sealing operation onto its can and alternately to engage its second operation seaming roller with a partially sealed cover of a can on an adjacent second chuck for a final sealing operation thereon, a second such seaming roll holder being swingable to engage its first operation seaming roller with the cover of the can on the second chuck for an initial partial sealing operation thereon before the second operation seaming roller of the first holder is engaged therewith.

2. In a can closing machine for double seaming covers onto cans, the combination of a revoluble support member including a plurality of seaming heads having a like number of rotatable chucks therein for engaging respective covers on cans to be sealed, a plurality of seaming roll holders pivotally mounted on said member respectively between adjacent chucks, first and second operation seaming rollers carried on opposite ends of each holder, a first such holder being swingable in one direction to engage its first operation seaming roller with the cover of a can on one of said chucks for first operation seaming thereon and thereafter in the opposite direction to disengage said first operation seaming roller from said partially seamed cover and to engage its second operation seaming roller with a first operation seamed cover of a can on an adjacent second chuck for final second operation seaming thereon, a second such seaming roll holder being adapted to be swun in an identical manner to engage its first operation seaming roller with the cover of the can on said second chuck for initial first operation seaming thereon before the second operation seaming roller of the first of said holders is engaged therewith.

3. In a machine for sealing covers onto cans, the combination of a rotatable member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced rotatable chucks respectively for engaging covers on cans to be sealed, a plurality of circumferentially spaced seaming roll holders swingably mounted in adjacent relation on said member on axes spaced from the axis of the member, said holders being respectively disposed between said chucks, first and second operation seaming rollers mounted on each of said holders respectively for cooperation with adjacent chucks, one of said holders being swingable in opposite directions on its axis relative to said member to first engage aaes'lw its first onenationoseaming roller with acanccover -on qne of :said adjacent chucksi'or-a partial-sealing operation on the cover-and to thereafter :engage its second operation seaming roll r with a secondpalitially sealed can coveron the-other of lsaidadjacent chucks fora final sealingoperation .onsaid second cover, and-another adjacent holder being swingable .on its axis ,to engage its first operation vseaming roller with the second can cover on saiclother chuck-prior to the aforesaid engagement of the secondseaming operation roller of saidfirst mentioned holder with said second cover.

*RQNALD E. J. \NORDQUIST,

8 REFERENGES CIT-ED .The fo l w n ef ences are of recom i J he file .of wig-patent:

UNITED STATES "PATENTS 

